Woman’s Day (Australia)

IT’S OFFICIAL! SHE SAID YES!

Harry finally makes Meghan his princess with a romantic African proposal – and the palace is already in celebratio­n mode!

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It was the romantic moment the world has been waiting for. Under a starry African sky, in a luxury lodge deep in Botswana’s animal-filled Okavango Delta, handsome Prince Harry got down on bended knee, presented his girlfriend Meghan Markle with a brilliant aquamarine ring and asked her to be his bride. “Meghan’s face lit up when she realised what was happening,” a royal insider reveals, speaking exclusivel­y to Woman’s Day. “He said, ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?’ and he gently placed the ring on her finger. Meghan just burst into tears and said, ‘ Yes, yes, yes!’ It was incredibly magical.”

Harry, 32, pulled out all the stops to ensure a memorable proposal that sets a new bar for royal romance.

Earlier in the night, as the sun set over a lush flood plain teeming with exotic wildlife, the prince had an army of top chefs at the exclusive Belmond Khwai River Lodge prepare a six-course dinner with all of his princess-in-waiting’s favourite foods.

On the menu were dishes as varied as smoked salmon, lobster pasta and – Meghan’s favourite – steak and chips!

‘Meghan just burst into tears and said, “Yes, yes, yes!”’

Towards the end of the lavish meal, staff pulled out a projector screen and Harry surprised the stunning Suits actress with a slideshow of pictures of her life, from her childhood in LA to snaps of them together over the past year, all played over their favourite songs.

“It was very sweet and romantic,” reports our insider.

And that’s when Harry pulled out the ring – believed to be an aquamarine gem that was a favourite of Princess Diana, a particular­ly poignant token of his love so near to the 20th anniversar­y of his beloved mother’s death.

OUT OF AFRICA

Harry and US citizen Meghan only recently marked 12 months as a couple, when the prince whisked her off to Botswana via private jet to celebrate her 36th birthday. But in the days before the proposal, as happened in the weeks before Wills and Kate’s engagement was made official, British bookmakers stopped taking bets on Meghan and Harry making an announceme­nt.

Rupert Adams, a spokesman for top betting agency William Hill, explained, “We believe it’s no longer a question of if, but when.”

Botswana is a country that holds special significan­ce for the prince, who refers to the nation as his “second home”.

Earlier this year, Harry explained, “I first came in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me we were going to Africa to get away from it all. This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here.”

HE WENT ALL OUT

The redheaded royal rented out the whole of luxury tour company Belmond Safari’s most opulent accommodat­ion, the Khwai River Lodge, which is serviced by its own private airstrip and boasts a scenic terrace from which guests can dine alfresco while gazing upon vast herds of elephants, giraffes and zebras.

Inside, there’s a romantic four-poster bed, a heated 20m swimming pool overlookin­g the plains, a high-powered telescope for star-spotting, a library, and an open-air bathroom with double showers and a copper-framed Victorian bath.

“Harry admitted he got a pep talk before the trip from his big brother Prince William, who helped calm his nerves,” reports our insider. “He even made a sneaky call to him just before he popped the question, with Kate in the background cheering him on. She said she wouldn’t tell George and Charlotte about Uncle Harry’s news just yet as they can’t keep anything secret.”

LETTING IT ALL SINK IN

Meanwhile, a source close to Meghan’s family tells us, “Meghan’s on cloud nine right now and is still getting her head around the fact she’s going to be the next princess or, as many suspect, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex.

“Meghan knew it was coming, but she was still shocked when Harry proposed and told family it was the most surreal but romantic moment of her life, and it’s something she’s still trying to process.

“As the enormity of what’s happened sinks in, she’s experience­d a little bit of anxiety, but it’s mostly sheer elation and happiness.

“She and Harry are taking some time out to enjoy the engagement before making it public and having to endure the media fanfare.”

It’s thought the palace won’t make an official announceme­nt about their wedding plans for a couple of weeks, as it did with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, who only confirmed their plans to wed a full month after she accepted his proposal while on safari in Kenya in 2010.

The first to hear about the big news, Wills and Kate, both 35, are delighted, as are Meghan’s parents, lighting director Tom Markle and yoga instructor Doria Radlan, who gave Harry permission to ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage before the big day.

They’ll be flying out to the UK to celebrate the good news with the couple in the coming weeks.

HER MAJESTY APPROVES

Also thrilled is Queen Elizabeth, Harry’s 91-year-old grandmothe­r, who is delighted there’s finally some good news for the royal family after the scandalous Diana documentar­ies and the Duchess of Cornwall’s biography, which have seen nasty factions forming in the palace in recent weeks.

“Her Majesty took to Meghan instantly,” says our royal insider. “She says Meghan is clearly a good influence on Harry, and that she’ll be a natural when it comes to adapting to royal life.

“Meghan is very poised and she knows how to dress appropriat­ely – all those years on the red carpet should make her transition very easy.”

‘Meghan’s on cloud nine right now’

Already designer labels are clamouring to dress Meghan for her engagement portrait – after all, the blue Issa frock Kate wore for her official photo in 2010 sold out within 24 hours of the picture being released.

“Meghan is sure to choose something by a British designer,” reports our insider. “Her favourite labels include Antonio Berardi, Erdem, Mulberry and Burberry, so they’ll all be in the running, with Victoria Beckham as an outside chance.”

READY FOR BABIES!

Looking further forward, we understand there’s to be not one but two weddings, and the timing will be early next year to coincide with the Northern Hemisphere spring.

First, there’ll be a big royal ceremony in London full of all the pomp and circumstan­ce we’ve come to expect, followed by a more low-key event in Los Angeles with a focus on Meghan’s family and friends.

As they were at Kate’s sister Pippa’s wedding, Prince George and Princess Charlotte are likely to act as pageboy and bridesmaid.

Meghan has already quit social media and ditched her beloved blog The Tig in preparatio­n for her new royal life. She’s also reportedly asked to be written out of Suits, has cut back on acting roles and is now focusing on her roles as a UN advocate and World Vision ambassador.

When she returns from her getaway with Harry, she’ll also be in full preparatio­n mode for her new job as the palace’s latest princess.

Our insider says, “Meghan is on the threshold of becoming an official royal, which can be terrifying, but Kate has been an enormous help when it comes to ‘princess training’.

“Kate’s been showing her the ropes and is really looking forward to having a new friend to attend events with when she’s on royal duty.

“Meghan and Harry are elated and can’t wait to start the next chapter of their lives together, which of course includes children. Meghan is desperate for a baby – she’s even joked about hurrying the wedding up so they can get on with things!”

 ??  ?? Buckingham Palace staff will put their best foot forward for the big day. Both Harry and Meghan are thrilled, while Meghan’s mum Doria will head to the UK shortly.
Buckingham Palace staff will put their best foot forward for the big day. Both Harry and Meghan are thrilled, while Meghan’s mum Doria will head to the UK shortly.
 ??  ?? Harry’s “second home” Botswana. He rented out the entire lodge.
Harry’s “second home” Botswana. He rented out the entire lodge.
 ??  ?? Harry and Meghan knew things were serious early on, and now they’re engaged!
Harry and Meghan knew things were serious early on, and now they’re engaged!
 ??  ?? The Queen is thrilled to welcome Meghan to The Firm.
The Queen is thrilled to welcome Meghan to The Firm.
 ??  ?? Royal reporters are eagerly awaiting a palace announceme­nt.
Royal reporters are eagerly awaiting a palace announceme­nt.

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